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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



The Wonder Gate 

A Play for Children in Two Acts 



By 
JANE ABBOTT 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

I 9 I 8 



4' J" 



^9 



Copyright 191 8 by The Penn Publishing Company 



TMP92-008537 

JUN 15 1918 



I 



The Wonder Gate 

fi)CI.D 49788 



The Wonder Gate 



CHARACTERS 

{As they appear in the play) 

The Girl. 
The Boy. 

The Stranger. , r^- 3 

Zan, the Prince of the North, who has come to the Kingdom 
of Altruria with tnighty battle-ships. 

WiM, the Prince of the East, who has come to the Kingdom 
of Altruria ivith fleet horses. 

Bal, the Prince of the South, ivho has come to the Kingdom 
of Altruria with a great army on foot. 

Thokl, the Prince of the West, who has come to the King- 
dom of Altruria with air-ships. 

The Spirit of Childhood, who is a Fairy. 

The Ruse-Fairies. 

The Tear-Fairies. 

The Rainbow-Fairies. 

The Queen of Altruria. 

There is also at the beginning and end of the play a But- 
terfly, but because it is a fairy butterfly it is visible only 
to those who truly believe in fairies. The others may call 
it Illusion. 

The Stranger and the Queen of Altruria are played by 
the same person. 

The scene of the play is laid on the Roadway outside of 
the Kingdom of Altruria. 

The time of the play is now. 

Time of Playing. — One hour. 

This play was awarded a prize in a play contest of the 
Bufl"alo, N. Y., Chapter of the Drama League, in 191 7. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Hilda and Noel, two little children, stray into the 
forest while chasing a butterfly, and find the locked 
door of the Kingdom of Altruria. A stranger gives 
them a box, which she says contains the only thing in 
the world that will unlock the door. Four mighty 
princes seek to conquer Altruria, but it is finally the 
mysterious object in the box that gains peaceful ad- 
mittance to the Kingdom. 



COSTUMES, ETC. 

Girl and Boy. They may be from eight to twelve 
years of age, the Boy a little older than the Girl. 
They wear summer clothing and no hats. At first 
entrance Girl wears a necklace apparently of small 
red berries. 

Stranger. Apparently an old woman. She is 
bent, and wrapped from head to foot in a gray gar- 
ment, with a hood that shields her face, and provided 
with a pocket. 

Zan and other Warrior Princes are all between 
twenty-five and forty, if played by adults. If played 
by children they should be boys larger than the Boy. 
Zan wears heavy uniform and carries a large sword or 
saber. There are knives in his belt. Wim is in khaki 
with boots and spurs and has a gun strapped across 
his back, and there is a sword in his belt. He carries 
also a long spear. Bal wears a dusty uniform and has 
a knapsack on his back, a cartridge belt, a revolver (or 
two), and carries a crun. Thorl wears a close-fitting 
uniform of gray or khaki, suggesting an aviator's suit. 
Helmet and tight leggings. He carries a knife or 



PROPERTIES 



revolver at his waist. In the appearance of all the 
Princes there is an exaggerated suggestion of arma- 
ment, though burlesque should be avoided 

Spirit of Childhood. This part is played bv a 
large girl or a young woman, who should be a good 
dancer. She wears a white dress with short skirt 

Spangles on dress and in hair. Small wings on 
shoulders, if des„-ed. Carries a small wand, tipped 
with a small gold or silver star. ' 

Queen of Alteuria. Played by a large girl or a 
young woman Dressed in white and silver", silver- 

rnecMr'""'' ""^" 'i''' "■"''"■ She wears also 
the necklace supposed to be made of small red berries 
which IS worn by Girl in Act I 

Fairies^ The Rose Fairies' should wear short 
dresses of pink, with roses in their hair, the fe r 

Slrl" Srcr°'-""V""^ ^"^ ^''-^' *^ R^-b°w 
%ing scarf ^'"^ '^''''^' °^ '""'Sh' colors, with 



PROPERTIES 

For Girl: Half a dozen cookies (small round 
cakes), necklace of small red berries 

wirh°Lb'er3;ed^rs:i:r:hiS^his^ 
fsh'^p'^per-"*'^'-^^^- i-S;rs'ati'ino^f;ss 

For Bal: Two pieces of bread, in knapsack 
n-k and <l,„™„g ™„i a ™S If.AbTg 



SCENE PLOT AND SUGGESTIONS FOR 
STAGING 

Indoor Stage. — If no curtain for back stage is avail- 
able, hang folds of gray or violet cheese-cloth against 
back v^all. Screen exits at l. and r., with trees of 
various sizes- Trees in tubs may be used, but the 
tubs should be hidden with cut branches. Mark a 
roadway with a wide strip of old white canvas across 
stage and place artificial grass or green cloth on the 
remainder of the stage floor. Across back of stage, 
slanting in such a way as to bring it a little down stage 
at the L., place a wall five feet or more in height. This 
may be made of gray canvas or paper stretched over 
frames and painted to look like old brick or stone. 

In the wall toward l. make a gate, which should be 
a dull gray with lines painted on it to look like cracks. 
This gate has no latch. Vines should be arranged 
upon the wall so as almost to conceal this gate. When 
the gate is opened there are shown a path, brilliantly 
colored flowers, and trees or shrubs, all of which glitter 
and shine in a bright light that is thrown on them from 
behind the wall. The small ornaments, tinsel and 
*' snow dust " used on Christmas trees will be effective 
here. 

Artificial flowers may be placed on the ground along 
the base of the wall, with a few ferns. Trees or 
bushes R. and l. At r. there must be a pile of rocks, 
which may be made of boxes covered with canvas or 
paper with moss placed around the bottom. The exits 
at R. and at l. must be arranged so that the characters 
may pass on or off stage without going behind the wall. 

OuT-oF-DooR Stage. — Use same setting. Mark 
exits with wooden frames covered with tree branches. 
With these same frames make back of stage at r. ap- 
pear as a dense forest, into which runs the wall. 
Trees also at l. Outline the stage limit with a row 
of footlights concealed behind branches or ferns. 

This stage setting is arranged so that it may be 
6 



SUGGESTIONS FOR MUSIC 7 

managed easily by school children. Boys in a manual 
training class can make the wall and the gate. Trees 
may be brought from the country and hxed in stand- 
ards similar to those used for Christmas trees. If 
given on a stage where there is no drop curtain the 
two acts may run into one. 

In the dances as many children may be used as de- 
sired. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR MUSIC 

At the original production of this play the following 
music was used: 

For the soft music at entrance of children, Act I, 
" The Prophet Bird," Schumann. 

At end of Act I, where the children fall asleep, 
" Little Cradle Song," Opus 124, No. 6, Schumann. 

Flute music, " The Shepherd's Song," or, if piano 
is used for the dance of the Spirit of Childhood, use 
" In My Neighbor's Garden," by Nevin. 

For dance of fairies: "plaintive music," Waltz, 
Opus 69, No. I, in F Minor, by Chopin, and the second 
part of the same waltz for the " joyful music " of the 
dance. 

The four-line song on page 30 may be sung to some 
well-known air or may be spoken. Soft music may be 
played off stage while the lines are repeated. 

A concealed phonograph may be used with good 
effect, and any simple music may be substituted for 
the above. 



The Wonder Gate 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Outside the gate of the Kingdom of 
Altruria. Soft music marks the opening of the Act. 

{As the curtain rises a little Girl runs in from R., 
arms outstretched as if endeavoring to grasp some- 
thing. She darts here and there on stage. A Boy 
follows more slowly. Girl runs to l., stops, drops 
arms dejectedly.) 

Girl. There it goes ! Oh, dear ! 

Boy. It was the prettiest butterfly we've ever seen ! 

Girl {going sadly to c). I don't beUeve butter- 
flies Uke to be caught, anyway ! Maybe it hurts them ! 
I'm glad we couldn't run faster ! What place is this ? 

Boy (looking around stage). I don't know! Hilda, 
perhaps we are lost ! 

Girl. Wouldn't that be fun ? I'm not a bit afraid, 
are you? It's so pretty here I'm sure nothing could 
hurt us. 

Boy. That's just like a girl! Why, there could 
be all sorts of things behind those trees ! Wild animals 
and ogres 

Girl (clapping her hands joyously). And fairies, 
maybe ! 

Boy. Fairies — in a place like this! How silly! 
Why, this is just like home is — trees and grass and a 
road ! Fairies only live in funny places like the forests 
and in the moon and under rocks by deep rivers ! 

9 



10 THE WONDER GATE 

Girl '{hirning away). I suppose you're right — 
only, as long as we're lost I wish we could see just one 
little fairy. 

Boy (consolingly). Let's play a game! 

Girl (running back to Boy). Oh, fun! What 
shall we play? 

Boy. Let's play that I am a king ! 

Girl. And what shall I be ? 

Boy. Oh, you must be a slave, so I can command 
you ! 

Girl (turning away). I'd rather be something else 
besides a slave ! 

Boy. But you see there aren't enough of us — you 
will have to be a slave. Kings always have slaves. 

Girl. Then I'm sure we can find something nicer 
to play. Let's be crusaders 

Boy. All right ! Let's pretend that we are knights 
from a distant land seeking for a treasure which has 
been left here ages ago ! If we find it we will carry it 
away and give it to — to whom can we give it, Hilda? 

Girl (thinking hard for a moment). Let's have 
the treasure so big we can give it to everybody ! 

Boy. Fine! You begin (pointing l. ) at that end 
of the wall and hunt and I'll look behind these trees. 

Girl (shaking her finger at Boy zvarningly). Be 
very careful around the trees — there might be ogres I 
(Girl goes l. and examines the wall, zvhile Boy peeps 
behind the trees at r. — very cautiously. Girl lifts 
vines on the zvall at back stage and discovers the old 
gate. Calls loudly. ) Noel, see ! Come here ! I have 
found a gate — through this wall ! 

Boy (running to her, l.). But there is no latch! 
(Pushes the gate.) It will not open! 

Girl. Oh, push hard! I wonder what is on the 
other side! Oh, dear, what a funn}^ gate, to have no 
latch ! 

Boy (putting his eyes to the crack). It's all bright 
and shiny inside ! 

Girl (pushing him azuay). Let me look! Oh, see 
the flowers ! It must be fairyland ! 

Boy. Fairies couldn't build a wall Hke this, stupid! 



THE WONDER GATE II 

It is somebody's kingdom, I'm sure ! I wish we could 

P^et through ! ^ r j .i • 4- i t 

Girl Maybe we are the first to find this gate 1 I 

had to push these vines away ! It looks very, very old ! 
Boy If I were bigger I could crush it with my 

^GiRL Let's pretend that we can open it, only we 
don't want to ! We'll play that the treasure is on the 
other side and we're guarding it. I shall stand close 
to the gate— like this. {Draws herself into a rigid 
position like a sentinel) You walk back and forth 
and look for the enemy ! 

Boy {stepping to c). I'm hungry! Mayn t we 
eat our cookies now ? , . 7 • ^,,, 
Girl {reaching into her pocket and taking out 
cookies). You may eat yours now if you want to— i 
shall save mine, because if we're lost we may need 
them more by and by. Here are yours^ {Coimts 
them as she places them into his hand.) One— two- 
three 

Boy Oh, give me that big one. 

Girl {drawing hack). It isn't any bigger than the 

others! ^ . . 

Boy Isn't it, though ! Just measure it ! 

Girl. Take it, then! {Catches at Boy s arm and 
looks tozvard r.) Oh, Noel, who is this? 
{Both children retreat up l.) 

(The Stranger enters from r. She is bent and 
wrapped from head to foot in a gray garment Her 
step is slow and faltering. She has an attitude of 
extreme weariness. In her hand she carries an old 
wooden box. She does not see the children who, 
frightened, are crouching against the wall watching 
her. Approaching the rock, R., she sits dozvn 
upon it.) 
Stranger (to audience). Oh, how long must I 

wander ! No one will listen to me ! No one w:ll take 

my gift! I am very, very tired! 

Gkl (to Boy). Poor thing-she is m trouble. 



12 THE WONDER GATE 

Let's Speak to her! (Comes dozvn r. and approaches 
the Stranger.) Good-day, lady! 

Stranger (turn'mg). Ah, a child! Good-day to 
you! 

Girl. I am Hilda — this is my brother Noel. 

(Boy comes dozvn r. to Girl.) 

Stranger. And why are you in this lonely spot? 

Girl. We were chasing a beautiful butterily ! It 
had wings like silk, and it was like gold in the sun- 
shine ! Sometimes we would almost have it in our 
hands, and then it would slip away ! We ran ever so 
far, and now we are lost ! 

Boy. But we're not the least bit afraid ! 

Girl. No, we will find our way back, I am sure! 
Perhaps we may find a butterfly going the other way ! 

BoY. Are you lost? 

Stranger. No, I can wander all over the world 
and never lose my way, but I am always very lonely, 
for wherever I wander they will not let me stay ! 

Girl. How cruel! And you are very old, aren't 
you? 

Stranger. As old as the hills themselves ! 

Boy. I should love to be like you, and wander all 
over this earth ! 

Stranger. It would be fine indeed if one could see 
this earth always with your eyes, my children ! 

Girl. You must be hungry. Won't you please 
take my cookies? (Girl holds out cookies.) 

Stranger (taking them). How kind you are! I 
am hungry! (Breaks a cookie and tastes it.) 

Boy (looking for a moment at his cookies, then 
taking from his pocket a coin, and holding it out to the 
Stranger). I will give you this ! It is a lucky penny 
and will bring you good fortune ! 

Girl (removing a string of red berries from her 
neck and giving to Stranger). And I will give you 
this ! They are berries that I have gathered to make 
a necklace for my mother ! 

Stranger. I cannot take what you have gathered 
for your mother ! 



THE WONDER GATE j^ 

Girl. Oh, she has so much, and she will be glad! 
Please take them ! I will say to her that I gave them 
to a poor old woman whom we met by the roadside. 

Stranger {taking necklace and holding it up). I 
will wear them more proudly than jewels ! 

Boy {taking a bite from one of the cookies, looks at 
them longingly, then thrusts them into the Stranger's 
lap). Take these, too. 

Stranger. But you, child 

Boy (shrugging his shoulders). Oh, I don't want 
them ! 

Stranger (putting cookies in her pocket). Oh, 
that the world might learn such a lesson of kindness ! 
(Rises from the rock.) In return for the gifts you 
have given me I will entrust to you my treasure box ! 

(Holds forward her wooden box.) 

Girl. That is just like the game we were playing! 

Stranger. The game? 

Boy. We were playing that we were knights in 
search of a treasure buried here ages and ages ago 

Girl. And when wx found it we were going to 
carry it forth and give it to the whole world! We 
were just pretending, you know. 

Boy (to Girl). Shall we tell her our secret? 

Girl. Yes, let's! (To Stranger.) While I was 
searching along the wall for the treasure I found a 
gate 

Boy (going up l. toward gate). Come and see! 
It is such a queer gate — it has no latch ! 

Girl. And when you peep through the cracks you 
see such beautiful things ! 

(She takes Stranger by the hand and leads her to- 
ward the gate.) 

Boy. It is like looking Into an Easter Qgg\ 
Girl. I am sure it must be fairyland ! 
Boy. And I told her it must be some one's king- 
dom ! 

Stranger (turning hack to r. c.). It is both! 



14 THE WONDER GATE 

Come closer to me, children! (Boy and Girl come 
R. c. close to her.) Would you like to have your 
pretty game come true? 

Girl. Oh, yes ! That's the best kind of a pretend 
game ! 

Stranger {coining dozvn r. c, children follozving). 
Listen well to me, my children. That is the Kingdom 
of Altruria beyond that gate! It is a land of wealth 
beyond mortal power to count ! And just as I have 
wandered over the lands of the earth with my treasure 
box begging the foolish people to take it from mxC, so 
within that kingdom its Queen waits to give to the 
world the wealth of her palaces ! All who enter that 
gate may gather of her riches until they can carry no 
more ! But only through the gate must they enter ! 

Boy. But there is no latch! 

Stranger (giving box to Boy). Within this box 
is the word that will open the gate ! 

Girl. But there must be a key to unlock the box! 

Stranger. It is a fairy key — forged of a rose, a 
tear and the tip of a rainbow ! 

Girl (clapping her hands). There are fairies, 
then ! I knew it, I knew it ! 

Stranger. There are indeed fairies ! Do you not 
ever hear them whispering as they play about in the 
tall grasses ? They tend their babies in the tree-tops ! 
Those are the lullabies we hear. They hold their fairy 
counsels under the ledges of rock by the side of the 
rivers. 

Girl. And do they love children? 

Stranger. Best of all ! It is because children will 
listen to them! (Moves l. c.) 

Boy. But why can't we see them? 

Stranger. Because our foolish eyes are so blind! 
There is much in this world we cannot see ! 

Girl. But where can we find the fairy rose and the 
tear and the tip of a rainbow ? 

Stranger. You must believe in the fairies ! They 
will always bring help to you in 3^our need if you have 
faith ! I must go on now — with the box in your care 
I may rest. 



THE WONDER GATE 15 

Boy (rimning up l. c. to her). Oh, rm glad we 
met you ! I wish I had more cookies to give you ! 
Girl {running up l. c). And we will have faith 

in the fairies! v -^^. i j 

Stranger {walking tozvard l.). Mmd you guard 
well the treasure box I have given you ! And let no 
one break down or climb over this wall, for then the 
wealth will disappear ! Only by yonder gate must they 
enter ! 

Girl {waving a kiss from her finger-tips). Good 

fortune, dear Stranger! , jx tt n i 

Stranger {turning and waving hand), l^areweii! 

{Children wave to her. Exit Stranger, l.) 
Boy {coming down c). Now we have a real 
game ! 

Girl. Let me hold the box ! 

3oY. No— I will ! I ought to, anyway ! 

Girl. Let me part of the time— and you guard the 

road! , 

Boy. No— she gave it to me ! You stand by the 

wall ! 

{A tramping of feet— a low rumble and drumming is 
heard off R.) 

Girl. Hark! What is that? 

{Both listen intently. Boy nuts to r. and looks off. 
Girl goes up c.) 
]3oY. Oh— there are many men^ coming this way ! 
' They are coming from every direction ! 

Girl (c). Perhaps they are coming to seize the 

kingdom! , , 7 j ^ 

Boy {running back to Girl, catches her hand ana 

drags her back toward the zvaJl at l., at the same time 

thrusting the box in her hands) . Here— you may hold 

it ! Let's hide behind these trees— they will not see us ! 

(Boy and Girl conceal themselves behind trees at l. 

Enter Zan and Wim, r. Zan is clad in a heavy 

uniform and carries at his side a huge saber. There 

are knives in his belt. Wm is in khaki uniform; 



l6 THE WONDER GATE 

across his back is strapped a gun. He wears hoots 

and heavy spurs. A short szvord is in his belt and 
in his hand is a long spear. They advance to c.) 

Zan {laying a heavy hand on Wim's shoidder). 
So — we meet here ! 

WiM (shaking off hand). Yes — think you that 
your ships could bring you here from the North more 
swiftly than my brave horses? 

Zan. My ships are mighty — I brought an army, 
too! 

WiM. Think you that I hope to take this kingdom 
single-handed ? Ha ! 

Zan (turning and clapping Wim on shoidder). 
You are a good foe, friend of the East ! And I do not 
doubt but that even now Prince Bal is marching hither 
from the South ! 

Wim. Yes — word of this precious kingdom must 
have gone to each corner of this earth ! 

Zan. And each will send its brave sons here to 
fight for it! (Tramping of feet is heard off l.) 

Wim. I hear the sound of marching feet! It is 
Bal! 

(Enter Bal, l. He wears a dusty uniform, a knap- 
sack on his back, a cartridge belt around his waist, 
a revolver in his belt and carries a gun at his 
shoulder. As he comes forzvard on stage he drags 
his gun, butt on the floor.) 

Bal (pausing at l.). Ha — Princes of the North 
and East — you have come before me ! 

Zan. My ships are mighty ! 

Wim (turning away). My horses fleet! 

Bal (laughing). What matters that ? I am here — 
am I not? 

Wim. That you are ! 

Bal. And as we marched we saw a great shadow 
in the western sky ! " Thorl's army of air-ships," my 
men cried out ! The Prince of the West will soon be 
here! (Turns and examines zvall up l.) 

Zan (turning down e., speaks contemptuously). I 



THE WONDER GATE 1 7 

would not trade my trusty ships of the sea for his 
craft ! 

(As Zan speaks Thorl enters quietly, l. He wears a 
close-fitting uniform of gray or khaki — a helmet on 
his head, tight leggings. One single weapon is 
thrust in his belt. He approaches the others un- 
noticed and laughingly answers Zan, who turns in 
astonishment. ) 

Thorl (c). My ships speed over land as well as 
sea, my friend ! I am late, perhaps ? 

WiM (r. c, stepping toward him). We have only 
just arrived! I suppose the same errand brings you 
here ? 

Thorl. Did you think that we in the West would 
sit with our hands folded while you carry off the 
wealth of this kingdom? 

Zan {down r.). I have brought with me sturdy 
men of the North ! 

WiM. And my brave army can charge on swift 
horses ! 

Bal {joining others from up L., where he has been 
restlessly pacing backward and forward). Though 
we marched hither on foot we have brought with us 
big guns ! 

Thorl {turning to him). My country has sent us 
here armed with the latest weapons known to science ! 
By the side of the deadly powder we use your guns 
are like toys ! 

Bal {turning l., indignantly). Toys indeed! 

WiM. It matters not what weapons we use! It is 
the courage within that wins ! The Spirit of Con- 
quest, who guides us fighting men, has taught us that ! 

Zan {down r., with uplifted arm). Aye — to the 
mightiest of us will go the spoils of this conquest ! 

WiM (r. c, striking his breast proudly). I have 
vowed to my country that I will conquer this kingdom 1 

Thorl {up c). My men do not know the word 
defeat ! 

Zan. It is victory or death for the men of the 
North ! 



1 8 THE WONDER GATE 

Bal (l.). The flag of my land shall rule this king- 
dom! 

Zan {motioning toward wall). They say no man 
has penetrated this wall ! It looks very old — our 
armies can easily crush it ! 

TiiORL. Let us wait until the hour of twilight ! At 
that time we can bring here our armies, crush down 
this wall and force our way into the kingdom. Then 
will the struggle be among us — and to the Prince 
whose army can carry off the treasure will go the 
victory ! 

Zan. Well planned, Prince Thorl ! I hate indeed 
to know that such as you must meet defeat ! 

Bal. In the South my people wait word of my 
victory ! 

WiM. My army is invincible! 

Zan {going up r.). We shall see! I leave you 
now ! A truce until the hour of twilight ! 

{Exit, R.) 

WiM {going 'R.). I mtist hurry to my men ! They 
wait eagerly for some v^^ord! 

{Exit, R.) 

Bal. I am hungry! Even the thought of victory 
cannot stifle this craving for food within me ! 

Thorl {stepping close to Bal). My stomach is 
hollow, too ! I feel it beating against my backbone ! 

Bal {removing knapsack). Let me open my pack ! 
Perhaps I have some morsel in here that you will like 
to share! {Bai^ opens pack. Thorl watches closely. 
Bal takes out two pieces of bread; gives one piece to 
Thorl. ) Take this — we can eat as we go along ! 

{Exit Bal and Thorl, r. Boy and Girl creep slozvly 
from hiding place. Boy runs softly to r. and looks 
off. Girl, c.) 

Girl. Oh — weren't they — awful? What were 
they ? Were they ogres ? 

Boy. Ogres — no, they are soldiers! 



THE WONDER GATE I9 

Girl (stifling a scream). Soldiers! And were 
those things they carried guns? 

Boy (coming down c). Yes — guns and swords! 

Girl (running to Boy). Do you think they have 
come to fight for this kingdom? 

Boy. Why, of course 1 Didn't you hear what they 
said? There is a treasure in this kingdom, and each 
one has come from his own country to carry it off ! 

Girl (turning away , sadly) . They will crush down 
the wall, and then the kingdom will be destroyed ! 

Boy (nodding). That's what fighting does! 

Girl (turning to gate). But the Stranger said we 
were to guard the gate ! 

Boy. How can we — we have no guns ! And did 
you see how sharp their swords were, too? 

Girl (going up r. c. and looking around helplessly) . 
What shall we do? 

Boy. Perhaps we'd better go home ! 

Girl. Never ! Then we'd be cowards ! 

Boy. I'm awful hungry ! I wish I had just one 
of those cookies. 

Girl (running down c. to Boy and grasping his 
arm). I know! Let's wait here until they come 
back! They were all so proud of their guns — we'll 
show them our box and tell them that there's some- 
thing inside of it more powerful than any of the cruel 
things they have brought with them. 

Boy. Good ! We'll make them awfully frightened ! 
You do know a lot, Hilda, even if you are a girl ! 
« Girl. You sit down against the gate, as if you 
were guarding it! I shall sit here. (Boy runs up l. 
to gate, sinks comfortably against it. Girl goes r. 
and sits dozvn upon ground at side of rock; spreads out 
her skirts and places the box carefully upon her knees.) 
She said if we just had faith the fairies would help us ! 
We will just have to have a key — I wish a fairy would 
come now. (Examines box.) A fairy key — made 
out of a rose, a tear and the tip of a rainbow — what 
funny things ! Where in the world can even a fairy 
find all three ! I wish it were not so still ! (Places 
box on ground close by her side.) Noel! Noel! 



20 THE WONDER GATE 

{Turns her head to look at Boy.) Noel ! {Sharply.) 
Oh, he's asleep! {Tosses her head.) I'm not afmid, 
anyway! {Glances over top of rock.) I'm not — a — 
bit — afraid ! {Music is playing softly. Girl crouches 
closer to rock and lays her head against it. Her eyes 
close drowsily.) I'm — not — a — bit — afraid! 

{Music dies away.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Same as Act I. Time: At the twilight 
hour. 

(Note. — // given out-of-doors — the play may he given 
in one act, music marking the moment before the 
opening of the second act.) 

(As curtain rises the children are seen asleep in the 
same positions as at the close of Act I. Flute music 
is heard. The lights are dim. Enter, r., the Spirit 
OF Childhood, dancing. Not seeing the children 
she dances about the stage. Her merry dance is 
indicative of the abandon and light-heartedness of 
children. As the dance finishes she sees the sleep- 
ing girl; leans over her and lightly touches her 
cheek.) 

Spirit. A little girl ! Oh, I love little girls ! What 
is this I find upon her eyelid? (Leans over Girl.) 
A tear! (Holds it up between her fingers as if it 
were a real tear.) Ah, they are precious! (Makes 
a motion as though putting it into the bosom of her 
robe.) What soft cheeks! They are covered with 
roses ! 

(She kneels beside the sleeping Girl and gently 
touches her cheek. Girl slowly wakens. The 
Spirit springs to her feet and dances a step or two 
away. Girl sits up straight and rubs her eyes.) 

Girl (down r., staring at Spirit). Who — are — 
you ? A — fairy ? (Springs to her feet and approaches 
the Spirit.) A real fairy? 

Spirit (up r. c). Yes, I am the Spirit of Child- 
hood. 

Girl (clapping her hands). Oh, I am so pleased 
to meet you ! I have always wanted to see a fairy ! 

Spirit. Why, I often play with little girls ! 

Girl. I suppose that is when we are the happiest. 

21 



22 THE WONDER GATE 

Sometimes I feel a sort of singing here — in my heart — 
is that when the fairies are near? 

Spirit (nodding). Yes! 

Girl. And do you really tend your babies in the 
tree-tops ? Do you sing little lullabies to them ? 

Spirit (nodding again). Yes — the mother fairies 
rock their babies in the leaves of the trees ! 

Girl. Oh, it must be lovely to be a fairy ! 

Spirit. But it is nice to be a little girl, too ! 

Girl. I was dreaming of the butterfly ! It was 
such a beautiful butterfly, with wings like golden 
webs — only it flew so fast that we could not catch it. 

Spirit. It was a fairy butterfly! 

Girl. We ran and ran until we were too tired to 

run any further and then (Suddenly she looks 

at the box, which she has placed upon the ground by 
the rock.) Oh, dear — oh, dear! I had forgotten! 
We are in deep trouble ! Please, Fairy, will you help 
us? (Goes and takes box and returns to Spirit.) 

Spirit. Tell me your trouble ! 

Girl (running to Boy, shakes him to zvaken him). 
Noel — Noel, waken! (Boy rises slozuly to his feet; 
Girl drags him forward. ) This is my brother Noel ! 
We were playing a pretend game that we were brave 
knights seeking for a treasure which we were going 
to carry forth and give to the whole world 



Boy. And we found that old gate yonder 



Girl (running up l. toward it). It is a very funny 
gate, because it has no latch ! 

Boy. It's all beautiful inside when you peek 
through the cracks ! 

Girl. And we were playing that the treasure was 
just the other side of the gate when a Stranger came 
along — from over there! (Points r.) 

Boy. She was a very old woman and very tired ! 

Girl. We felt so sorry for her that we gave her 
our cookies and the berries I had gathered for my 
mother. 

Spirit. How kind you were ! 

Boy (at l. of Spirit). Yes, and I wish I had saved 
just one cookie — I'm hungry! 



THE WONDER GATE 23 

Girl (at r. of Spirit). She was so glad to have 
the gifts, poor thing ! She said she had been wander- 
ing all over the earth and that no one ever wanted her 
to stay among them. Isn't that sad? 

Spirit. Very, very sad! 

Girl. She told us that beyond that wall was a 
beautiful kingdom in which there was so much wealth 
that it couldn't be counted! She said that any one 
could have the wealth who entered the kingdom 
through that gate but that if they crushed down the 
wall the kingdom would be destroyed and the treasure 
would disappear ! 

Spirit (nodding). That is true! 

Girl (holding out box). And then — because we 
had given her our cookies and the penny and the 
beads — she gave us this box, which she said she had 
carried all over this earth ! 

Boy. And inside that box is the only thing that will 
open that gate ! 

Girl. But to unlock the box we must find a fairy 
key that is made of a rose, a tear and the tip of a 
rainbow ! 

Spirit (counting musingly on her fingers). A 
rose — a tear — and the tip of a rainbow ! 

Boy. And I'd like to know how one is ever to find 
such queer things ! 

Girl (to Boy). Hush — they are not queer things! 

Boy (to Spirit). And while we were hiding be- 
hind those trees over there (pointing l.) four soldiers 
came here and were plotting to attack the kingdom! 
At the twilight hour they are coming back, and they 
will bring their armies to crush down the wall ! 

Girl (sadly). They will destroy the beautiful 
kingdom ! 

Boy. And they will kill one another — they said so ! 
They have big guns and sharp swords ! 

Girl. We are waiting for them to come back ! 
We are going to tell them that within this box there 
is something that is mightier than anything they have 
brought — and that it will take them into the kingdom ! 

Boy. If we could only get the fairy key ! 



24 THE WONDER GATE 

Girl (to Spirit — hopefully). Can't you help us? 

Spirit (drazving them down c). Gladly — it you 
will promise one thing ! 

Boy (eagerly). What is that? 

Spirit (smilingly) . Always to see the gold on the 
wings of the Butterfly ! 

Girl. Oh — we will ! 

Boy. If you are going to help us you must hurry! 
It will not be long until the twilight hour! And I'd 
like to know where you can ever And a rose, a tear and 
the tip of a rainbow ! 

Spirit. Tears are jewels ! The fairies gather them 
and store them away! (Pats her dress.) I have one 
now that I stole from a sleeping child's eyelid ! 

Girl (looking around stage). And the rose — there 
are no roses here ! 

Spirit. Ah, you doubt our magic ! Do you not 
know, child, that fairy fingers can gather roses from 
your soft cheeks? (Pats the Girl's cheek.) 

(Girl puts hands to her cheeks in wonder.) 

Boy. Well, a rainbow will not be so easy to find! 
Mother says a rainbow comes when the sun shines 
through the raindrops and we haven't had rain for 
days. (Looks iipzvard.) I don't believe it'll rain 
now 

Spirit. You still doubt our fairy power? Have 
you ever seen a rainbow, silly Boy ? 

Boy. Of course I've seen them often ! 

Girl. They are like ribbons in the sky ! 

Spirit. And have you ever seen the very tip of the 
rainbow ? 

Boy. Why, the tip always drops into the ground! 

Spirit. Ah, truly! And there the fairies gather 
each tip and carry it away and hide it — for these rain- 
bow tips are very, very precious ! 

Girl. Oh, aren't fairies wonderful? But why do 
you suppose this key has to be made of a rose, a tear 
and the tip of a rainbow? 

Spirit. The rose is for Joy, the tear is for Sorrow, 
and the tip of a rainbow brings Hope ! 



THE WONDER GATE 25 

Girl (clapping her hands). Aren't fairies won- 
derful? 1 1 u 

Boy {anxiously walking up l., then back again, 
down c). Will you make us this key quickly? 

Spirit. You give me the promise that I asked? 

Chorus. Yes— yes! 

Spirit. Then be very still! I will call out my 
fairies! You may watch from yonder corner! Do 
not speak or you will frighten them away ! 
(Boy and Girl go tip l. and stand together. Boy 

takes box. Spirit goes r., puts hands to her mouth 

as if calling. A flute call is made off R. To joyful 
music the three Rose-Fairies dance m r. Use a cot- 
ored spot-light. They dance about while the Spirit 
OF Childhood watches from up R. To plaintive 
music the three Tear-Fairies dance m from R., 
while the Rose-Fairies take a position at l. At 
end of their dance the Tear-Fairies group up c, 
while the three Rainbow-Fairies dance gayly m 
from R. All join them— with the Spirit as a central 
figure— in a dance which finishes in a group at c. 
The group falls back, and the Spirit steps forward, 
alone, a golden key in her hand.) 
Girl {running c. to Spirit). The key— the key! 
Boy {coming down c, carrying box). Oh, may we 

have it? i . n r • 

Spirit {holding key high). Guard it well— tor in 
that box you carry is indeed a weapon that is mightier 
than all the guns in the world ! 

Girl {clasping her hands). Now we can save the 
beautiful kingdom! 

Spirit {giving key to Girl). Because you were 
kind to the poor Stranger she gave to you that box 
and because you are brave and did not run away I 
give to you the key! Now we must depart! There 
may be work in other places for our fairy hands to do ! 

Girl {holding key close to her heart). We will 
always have faith in the fairies. 

Boy. And we'll always know they are close around 
us! 



26 THE WONDLR GATE 

Spirit (waving her hand to fairies at back stage. 
Music plays softly). Away — away! We cannot 
linger! (Fairies dance off l. Spirit turns to Boy 
and Girl.) Remember — what you have promised! 

(Goes L.) 

Girl (stepping toward Spirit as she dances slowly 
toward l.). We will always look for the gold on the 
Butterfly's wings ! 

(Exit Spirit, l. Music changes to crashing chords.) 

Boy (running across stage, looks off r.). I hear 
the armies coming now ! 

Girl (standing c, very straight). Are you fright- 
ened? Fm not! (Music dies azvay.) 

Boy. They are coming in long lines ! They have 
stopped ! Those four princes are coming forward ! 
See how bright their swords shine ! 

Girl (stamping her foot). I think it must be 
horrid to be a soldier. 

Boy. Each soldier carries a gun! 

Girl. How can they bear to kill each other? 

Boy (running hack to c, seizes Girl's arm and 
drags her hack to wall up l.). Hush — they're here! 

Girl. Hold the box tightly ! 

(The four Princes swagger on stage from r. Thorl 
stalks across stage toward l. ) 

Zan (pausing r., looks around). All seems quiet 
within the kingdom! (Comes down r.) 

Thorl (striking his chest). It is the moment for 
attack ! 

Bal (up r. c, looks at wall). My guns can shatter 
this wall in a second! My men wait only a word 
from me ! 

WiM. And into the kingdom my army will charge ! 

(Girl steps forward to c, shyly. Boy with hox he- 
hind him, follows her.) 

Girl (up c). Please, sir, don't come any nearer! 
WiM (r. c). Ha— what's this? (Steps hack.) 



THE WONDER GATE 2/ 

Thorl {who is dozvn l., turns). Two children — 
two little children ! 

Zan (grasping his saber). What trick is this? 
(To children.) How came you here? 

Girl. We were chasing a butterfly — a beautiful 
butterfly with gold on its wings! 

Thorl (impatiently crossing r.). Come — come! 
Our armies wait while we prattle here with these 
babes ! 

Girl. Are you really going to seize this kingdom? 

(Thorl pauses down r.) 

Zan. That we are ! Our armies and our guns are 
a little way off — waiting a word from us ! 

WiM. We have come here from the corners of the 
earth to seize the treasure of this kingdom! (Strikes 
his thigh.) It will be a pretty fight! 

Boy. You have very big guns? 

Bal. Aye — and cannon, too ! 

Zan (slapping hilt of his saber). And mighty 
swords ! 

Thorl. And deadly powder! 

Girl (taking box from Boy, and holding it out). 
Do you see this box? Within it is a weapon that is 
much more powerful than any of your guns and 
swords and cannons ! 

Bal (clapping WiM on the shoidder). Listen to 
the child ! That box ! 

Girl (proudly). It is a fairy box! 

Zan. Fairies ! (To Princes.) A child's nonsense ! 

(Crosses l. threateningly, and stands l. of Boy.) 

Thorl (angrily). It is madness to linger thus! 

Girl. If you just open the box the gate yonder will 
be set ajar and you can go in. But if you crush down 
the wall or go over it you will destroy the beautiful 
kingdom, and there will be no treasure ! 

Zan (to Boy). And what have you to add to this 
pretty tale? 

Boy (hotly). It is not a pretty tale! It is what 



28 THE WONDER GATE 

the poor Stranger told us, and she knew everything, 
because she had been all over the world ! 

WiM (to Princes). Their talk makes me shiver! 

Zan. 'Tis like the witchcraft of old! 

Bal. It may be some trick! 

TriORL {turning r., about to exit). I will not 
listen ! 

Zan, Wait a moment ! 

Thorl. Wait while you listen to prattle of fairy 
boxes and witches? 

WiM. A long time ago I believed in fairies ! Can't 
fairies cast spells? {Moves c. tozvard children.) 

Boy. They live in the tree-tops and grasses all 
around us. 

(Princes look fearfidly at tree-tops.) 

Bal. They may bewitch our armies ! 

(Moves toward children.) 

Thorl (stamping foot). Enough of this nonsense! 

Zan. Nay, linger! What matters it if our charge 
is delayed a moment? Let us look into the box! 
There may indeed be in it something mightier than the 
powder of which you boast. (Thorl joins others up 
c. Zan, to children.) Give me the box! 

(The Girl gives him the box. Then she holds out 
the key. Others gather around.) 

Girl. Here is the key ! It is a fairy key and was 
forged by the fairies from a rose, a tear and a rain- 
bow. 

Zan (tip L. c, holds key high — mockingly). A 
rose — a tear — and a rainbow — against our swords and 
guns ! 

WiM (up R. c, slaps his thigh). 'Tis foolishness ! 

Girl. The rose is for joy, and the tear is for sor- 
row, and the rainbow tip brings hope ! Aren't those 
things better than your horrid swords? 

Bal (to Wim). The child has courage! 

Thorl (to Zan). Open it quickly! (Zan brings 
box down r. The four Princes stand close together 



THE WONDER GATE 29 

down R. as Zan slowly unlocks the box with clumsy 
fingers. He lifts the lid fearfidly, stares into the box, 
then draws from it a yellowish scroll of paper; holds 
it up. ) What cursed trick is this ! 

Bal (turning in disgust). A piece of paper ! 

WiM (leaning closer). There's writing on it! 

Zan (turning it over). A mighty weapon indeed! 

Bal. What is it? 

Zan (throwing it to the floor, goes up c. and hands 
box to Girl). It is a song. 

Thorl (turning r.). We were mad to listen to 
their prattle ! 

Bal (moving up r.). Brats ! On with our armies ! 

WiM (laying hand on Zan's arm). What are the 
words ? It may be worth our while to read them ! 

Zan (picking up paper). I cannot read them — 
here, Thorl, look them over! 

Thorl (taking paper). It is a language I do not 
know ! 

(Bal comes dozvn r. ajid seizes paper. Boy and Girl 
come down c.) 

Bal. They are strange words — it seems as though 
I knew them once upon a time ! 

(Zan takes paper and thrusts it into Girl's hand. 
She and the Boy look at it.) 

Zan. Read it ! 

Girl. Why, this is simple ! It is a song ! 

Thorl (sternly). Read it — read it! 

WiM. 'Tis written in the language of childhood! 
I had forgotten ! 

Girl (stepping forzvard). Oh, it is so pretty! I 
will sing it for you ! 

Thorl (in disgust). While armies wait ! Bah! 

WiM (holding up his hand). Perhaps there is 
some power of which we have not learned ! 

Zan. Sing — child ! 

(Girl and Boy in hesitating tones sing the song. 
They repeat it more gayly a second time — and a 



30 THE WONDER GATE 

third time they turn to the audience and sing it in 
clear, loud voices. See note also on page y.) 

" The only thing worth having is a joy in hfe — 
The only thing that never can be gained by strife ! 
So throw away your weapons — enter hand in hand 
And gather of the treasure in Altruria's land ! " 

(The Princes listen intently. As the verse is sung the 
third time the gate opens very slowly. ) 

Boy (zvho has turned as he sings the last line). 
Look — look ! The gate is open ! 

WiM } (lurning). A gate! 

(Zan, at the Boy's outcry, has stepped toward the 
gate; turns quickly hack to the Princes.) 

Zan. What magic is this? Their song has opened 
this gate in the wall ! Where are our armies ! 

{Princes rush toward R. to go after their men. Boy 
and Girl run toward gate, pause in wonder and re- 
treat dozvn L. Slozvly, with dignified step, the 
Queen of Altruria walks through the gate to c. 
She is dressed in white and silver — a silver-trimmed 
mantle and a silver crown, and wears necklace of red 
berries. She holds up her hand.) 

Queen. Stay — good men ! Welcome — welcome to 
my kingdom ! 

{Princes halt in astonishment ; involuntarily salute.) 

Girl {to Boy — as they stand shyly at l.). It is our 
Stranger ! 

Queen {turning and smiling at children). Yes — 
my children — I am the Stranger ! See, I wear the 
little berries as proudly as though they were jewels ! 

Zan {stepping forward). Our visit to your king- 
dom is not one of peace ! 

Queen. I know ! It was I who wandered over 
the earth telling its people of the wealth of my king- 
dom ! And I carried with me the little song that 



THE WONDER GATE 3I 

they might have learned ! But because I seemed like 
an ugly old woman no one would listen to me ! 

Zan. I come from the North with mighty ships ! 

Bal. My men have brought with them heavy guns ! 

Queen. You will not need them here! 

Thorl (turning away). ' I have vowed to my peo- 
ple that I will return in triumph ! 

WiM. And my men prefer death to defeat ! 

Queen. Silly mien! My kingdom has wealth so 
great that you may each of you take back all you can 
carry, and there will still be m.ore ! 

Girl. Then they needn't fight? 

Queen. No. Through yonder gate they may enter 
my" kingdom at will. For a long, long time I have 
waited for mortals to come and gather the wealth 
that is there! 

Zan {stepping to her side). What is this strange 
treasure for which we have come with our armies? 

Queen, Do you not know? It is a wealth more 
precious than gold! Brotherly Love, mortals call it! 

Bal {to other Princes). Love — brotherly love! 

WiM. More precious than gold! 

Zan. But our armies 

Queen. Bring on your armies ! All may enter — 
but it must be in peace ! Throw away your weapons ! 

{Princes stare at her, then at one another.) 

Zan {to Princes). This is strange warfare! 

WiM, No fight — no victory! 

Bal {stepping out from the group, holds his hand 
high). This Queen is greater than any of us ! Let us 
follow her ! 

Queen {turning from them). Throw away your 
weapons — you will not need them here ! 

Zan {turning to Princes). I obey! 

(Zan throzvs his arms down at the foot of the tvall 
with a loud clatter. Bal and Wim quickly follow 
suit. Thorl, zvho has stood hesitating, head bent, 
dozvn R., goes last of all and lays reverently on the 
pile his single weapon. They turn to the Queen.) 



32 



THE WONDER GATE 



Queen (waving hand tozuard the gate). Brothers — 
enter ! My kingdom is yours ! 

(Zan leads the way. Bal and Wim go arm in arm. 
Thorl follows last. Exit through gate up l. 
Queen walks slowly toward the gate.) 

Girl (taking a shy step forzvard). Farewell, dear 
Queen ! 

Boy. We must find our way home — our mother 
will worry ! 

Queen. Go on your way, happy children! No 
longer need you guard the gate ! It will always be 
open ! But sing the song as you go ! 

Girl. We will! (Children wave. Queen turfis 
at gate and waves her hand slowly. Music plays very 
softly. As Queen disappears through the gate the 
Girl suddenly points upward. ) Oh — the Butterfly ! 

Boy. And it's going the other way! It will take 
us home ! 

Girl (running across stage, cries out joyfully). 
It has gold on its wings I I see it I I see it I 

(As the music plays the children run off stage at r. 
in the same manner in which they came on. Music 
dies away.) 

curtain 



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